Today Stangford MP Iris Robinson revealed she tried to kill herself ten months ago after confessing to an extra-marital affair.
She and her husband, Belfast East MP and first minister of Northern Ireland Peter Robinson, released the following statements:
Iris Robinson
After Christmas, I announced that I did not intend to seek re-election for any public office. I did this to allow the party and my colleagues to make preparations and move forward.
However, I also indicated that I would want later to explain what lay behind my decision. I have had physical health problems for most of my life but very few were aware that over recent years those medical problems were physical and mental.
Thousands of people suffer from mental illnesses of varying levels of gravity. In public life, we are the last to seek out help. I am deeply appreciative of the many hundreds of messages of understanding and comfort that I have received over the last week - many from those who, like me, have faced similar challenges in life.
I know there will be media interest in these issues so while I need space to recover, I want to explain further. For me, my illness led to severe bouts of depression which altered my mood and personality.
I fought with those I love most - my children and friends; saw plots were none existed and conducted myself in a manner which was self-destructive and out of character.
During this period of serious mental illness, I lost control of my life and did the worst thing that I have ever done. Over a year and a half ago, I was involved in a relationship. It began completely innocently when I gave support to someone following a family death.
I encouraged friends to assist him by providing financial support for a business venture. Regrettably, the relationship later developed into a brief affair. It had no emotional or last meaning but my actions have devastated my life and the lives of those around me.
Everyone is paying a heavy price for my actions. Psychiatrists may suggest that my mental illness was a significant factor explaining my irrational behaviour. I do not, in any way, question or doubt their judgement, but in order to master my life, I do not want to dilute the blame or resist taking full responsibility for my actions. I am completely ashamed and deeply embarrassed.
I am aware that I did not only hurt Peter, I hurt my family and friends. I let down thousands of people who placed their faith in me and though my medical condition was a factor, I was not, at this time, true to the values, I professed. I grieve that I have damaged my profession in Christ, but I am comforted that He was able to forgive even me.
I would pay any price on earth to take back the wrong I have done and the hurt I have caused to those around me. I love my husband more than I can ever say. I know this more now than ever before.
So great was my guilt and regret that I tried to take my own life ten months ago. I have received the best of care and support both from family members and from health professionals. While, as might be expected, I am struggling at present with my illness and receiving treatment I am determined to regain my health and strength, and work to repair the damage I have caused to my marriage and family.
I do not deserve a second chance but I have been given one. Nothing is more important to me.
I sincerely apologise to all those I have hurt and let down. I have inflicted deep pain on my husband Peter, my family, friends, staff and all those who have supported me. I am so, so, sorry.
Peter Robinson
You will appreciate how devastated I have been about what you have learned from Iris. This has been the most difficult period of my life and I have been deeply hurt by what has happened. I feel the pain of it every day.
The job we do as politicians places enormous strain on all of us and at times of heavy criticism and tough decisions it is especially so. I understand that. I also understand that in keeping a public profile, a politician internalises the stress. It is a sign of weakness to admit to pressure and anxiety. We are each made differently and some of us are more capable than others of weathering these storms in our lives.
My first knowledge of Iris's inappropriate relationship came about midnight on March 1 last year - the night she tried to take her own life. Each single morning since then, I have asked for the strength to carry this burden.
My immediate impulse was to walk away from my marriage. I felt betrayed after almost 40 years of being happily and closely bonded together. The circumstances I face, however, caused me to take a different course. Iris, racked by guilt and sorrow, had attempted to take her own life and would certainly have been less likely to recover if I had left. Over time and on calmer reflection, I set her inappropriate behaviour against 40 years of bringing up our children - often alone.
Forty years of selflessly giving me the space to pursue my beliefs; of facing public pressure for the stand I was taking and having to live with the threats and dangers my position visited upon my family. Those were forty years during which she supported me more than any person could reasonably have been expected to. Forty years where we walked the valley basin as well as the mountain paths - but most of all - 40 years during which we shared a strong, loving, relationship.
I determined that I could not walk away without making a genuine effort to see if my marriage could be saved. That is the road I am on. It is a road without guarantees but not without hope.
I love my wife. I have always been faithful to her. In a spirit of humility and repentance, Iris sought my forgiveness, she took responsibility upon herself alone for her actions and I have forgiven her. More important, I know that she has sought and received God's forgiveness.
I only ask if people feel they must judge her, that they find within themselves, as I have done, the gift of doing so with mercy and compassion.
It is heartbreaking that all the good work she has done for so many, over decades, will be overshadowed by what she has outlined today.
I accept that the press have a job to do and they must be free to do it. There will, no doubt, be those who will want to dredge up every lurid detail. They will get no help from me.
I want to assure the wider community that I have at all times sought to carry out my public duties diligently, and I will continue to discharge those responsibilities without allowing, as far as lies within me, my personal hurt to limit my endeavours.
This is a very painful time for my family, and I ask that the media respect our personal privacy while together, we seek to rebuild our lives.
I do not want to return to this subject. I am determined to try and put this issue behind me.
It is my intention to be at my desk tomorrow morning to continue the work the people of Northern Ireland have entrusted to me. I will be meeting with Martin McGuinness to discuss how we might make real progress. I want 2010 to a better year for us all.
